Energy, Environment & Sustainability

Cornell is a global leader in sustainability and climate change research, teaching and engagement. Our campuses are living laboratories for developing, testing and implementing solutions that address these most challenging issues.


'March madness' in Northeast, as region sees warmest month in 118 years

The northeastern United States enjoyed its warmest March in 118 years, beating out the previous warm-winter record set in 1945, according to Cornell Northeast Regional Climate Center. (April 13, 2012)

Nontoxic nanosheets could turn waste heat into power

Scientists have developed an inexpensive, environmentally friendly way of synthesizing oxide crystal sheets, which have useful properties for electronics and alternative energy applications. (April 10, 2012)

Matthiessen to address big oil, climate change refugees

Author Peter Matthiessen will present the 2012 Iscol Distinguished Environmental Lecture on 'Big Oil and Our First Climate Change Refugees,' April 23 at 4:30 p.m. in Statler Auditorium. (April 10, 2012)

Green building leader wants 'retrofit revolution'

Rick Fedrizzi, president of the U.S. Green Building Council, said green buildings safeguard the environment and treat humans with dignity; a 'retrofit revolution' should overhaul existing buildings. (April 9, 2012)

Experts suggest grazing cows, sheep, ducks in forests

Putting livestock into forests to graze could prove to be a valuable tool for New York woodland management, and experts hope silvopasturing will appeal to farmers who could benefit from the practice. (April 9, 2012)

New app signals that endangered whales are nearby

The free app, called Whale Alert, provides key information intended to reduce the risk of ships hitting endangered right whales. (April 4, 2012)

Durland Alternatives Library promotes social justice

Cornell's Durland Alternatives Library, which is open to the public, offers materials that help promote justice. (April 3, 2012)

Five campus buildings recognized at green building conference

Five of Cornell's buildings were recognized as exemplary New York state green buildings at the 10th Annual New York State Green Building Conference in Syracuse, March 29-30. (April 2, 2012)

'Tunable' metal nanostructures for fuel cells, batteries and solar energy

Cornell chemists have now developed a way to make porous metal films with up to 1,000 times the electrical conductivity offered by previous methods. (April 2, 2012)